what do today's D struggles suggest about next week?
I don't know why--maybe it's all the time spent here, but even if this IS a historically bad defense, I feel so close to the players that it's hard for me to criticize. I know they play their hearts out. I know they got several key stops in the second half. And (haven't seen anyone else say this) THEY WERE OUT THERE THE WHOLE DAMNED GAME. Not only that, but the much-maligned three-man rush was beating IU's brains out as the game stretched on, and made it possible for the secondary to shut down those vaunted receivers on another several key plays.
Alright, next week is a new game. We are home (thank goodness). How will our D stack up against MSU? Will they have to work as hard? MSU's receiving corps can't possibly be as fine as IU's, can it? How is MSU's rush game, and can the three-man front stop it, or do we see more 4-man fronts? What are the key matchups?
As always, if you find such discussion premature, please don't feel required to respond.
October 2nd, 2010 at 9:49 PM ^
either 7 or 8 wins with a tiny little freshman D. That doesn't worry me. After the last two years, I'd take 8 wins in a heartbeat.
That said, don't count us out in any of our games. Indiana was a PROLIFIC offense, and though we're not great at stopping the pass at all, we have had our fair share of interceptions when we're in the right place. I like our chances of an upset when we face Ricky Pick 6 Stanzi, and I honestly believe MSU is in for a thrashing this week.
October 2nd, 2010 at 9:05 PM ^
But today's effort "suggests" that we have a terrible defense. Sometimes overanalysis clouds the truth: this is the worst defense we've ever seen. Just admit it.
October 2nd, 2010 at 9:49 PM ^
I assume you are referring just to Michigan's history. If it's defenses in general, I can't agree with you. As an example, I'm pretty sure that BG's defense is worse than ours.
Still, your observation is not a surprise or even a pithy statement. The struggles our of defense are not news. We knew going in that this would be tough. We haven't seen anything we didn't already suspect last August. Is Chappel's success today really that shocking after the Mass game result a few weeks ago?
On the plus side, there were some moments that guys did step up and make some plays. I do like the way the D never gave up.
October 2nd, 2010 at 9:51 PM ^
That's saying something after last year (and the year before). It's not really any better... but fundamentally, it's coming along. NO BIG PLAYS was the mantra. And we didn't!
October 2nd, 2010 at 9:13 PM ^
it means we are going to have to outscore MSU. there's no rational world where this defense magically shuts down Sparty next week. The best we can hope for is a few turnovers/mistakes at key moments. I'm personally more concerned with the question: can our offense continue to put 35+ points on the board? I think and hope so.
Denard is fucking rediculous.
Cousins is a good passer, and those backs could wear michigan down. we'll see what happens. I'll say 35-34 michigan, as an early guess, in the hopes that M can force a few Field goal attempts in place of TDs.
Remember, the last time we started 5-0 in '06, we smelled Roses later :)
lets enjoy the win and hope the denard train keeps rolling.
October 2nd, 2010 at 9:20 PM ^
which is that our offense can win any game on our schedule and our defense can lose any game on our schedule. Nothing has changed.
October 2nd, 2010 at 9:42 PM ^
D is not going be a fun experience this year... We're going to make mediocre players look like all-americans and studs looks like sure fire hall of famers... Its a race to 30+ each week... Or maybe its 40.... We just have to keep hanging in there - get a punt or two - maybe a turnover - and hope O is doing their thing...
October 2nd, 2010 at 10:17 PM ^
I think our O against their D was the biggest problem for our D. Typically we would not have scored so quickly. IU made it so easy for us to score on them that it was no more than just a few minutes of rest before the D was back on the field. Our D had the same problem in '08 with the exception that this year they are coming out after a kickoff instead of a punt.
MSU should have a better D than IU. Not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing. Sparty will certainly be more balanced on O as far as rush and pass. Cousins won't put up the yards that Chapell did, but neither will we limit them to 88 yards rushing. I think this has the potential to be a very good game. Have no doubt that we will get their A game and possibly an extra surge of emotion with MD back on the side line.
October 3rd, 2010 at 12:17 AM ^
One of the most frustrating things is that it seems that once or twice every week an opposing receiver gets absolutely pasted by a safety at the exact moment that the ball arrives, and they still make the catch. Even when we make good plays, opponents still make highlight reel plays anyway.
The other thing that drives me nuts is that our offense is so potent that opposing offenses are forced to pull out all of the stops, which stretches our already-thin defense even more. Has any other team seen their opponents go for it on 4th down more than Michigan?
October 3rd, 2010 at 12:31 AM ^
It means we are gonna need to score lots of points in order to win.